6 Most Popular Home Renovations That Add Value to Your Property

It is no great secret that for most people, their home is probably the biggest investment they’ll ever make. Home renovations continue to be on the rise in the Northeast while the real estate market is slow to return. Whether a homeowner wishes to remain in their home throughout their lives or is planning on selling at some point in time, it is well worth the investment to keep up the property with a home renovation or two. This way, it maintains or grows in value. Updating those features which are currently dated or perhaps adding greater functionality or increased living space.

This is especially important for anyone seeking to list their home for sale. Obviously the greater the value, the more you can ask when selling your home. Are you currently wondering what home renovations can give you a better living arrangement? Or perhaps, would also add value to your property in the event that you may want to sell one day? In either case these are currently the most popular home renovations that add value to your property in Connecticut.

1. Updating Kitchens

Updating your kitchen can go a very long way towards increasing the value of your home while making everyday life, easier and more enjoyable. In fact, modernization will almost always result in lower utility bills since modern appliances are much more energy efficient than those of previous generations.

When looking to update your kitchen, keep in mind, that you would most certainly need to find a Connecticut interior design firm with a wide array of professional services. The designer should have connections with home renovation contractors such as; cabinet making, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and even plastering and tiling. Experienced renovators such as those found on www.perthrenovationsco.com.au are going to be the best contractors to work with because most, if not all, work will be done in-house. This means that everyone doing a job is part of the same team and there would be a limited need for sub-contractors. For speed and efficiency, that’s the way to go.

But what exactly happens when modernizing a kitchen? Typically, the appliances and plumbing will be updated while electrical wiring may need to be revamped. Your home may need to be fitted with the latest RFD safety switches and this is just the beginning! Current trends opt for more space efficient appliances. Often, an open concept kitchen is chosen to add the illusion of greater size. This may mean knocking out a wall to adjoin the kitchen to the dining room or living room. This is also why an electrician and plasterer are going to be required on a home renovation.

2. Installation of Sliding Glass or French Exterior Doors

Open space architecture is all the rage at the moment and one of the ways to give the appearance of wide open spaces is to let more light into the home. Many Connecticut homeowners have opted to either expand their current back door or break through a space on a back wall to give a better view of the back lawn and garden. Not only does this make any room seem much larger, but it is a way to bring the beauty of nature into the home.

3. Open Plan Living Areas

Here again, you encounter the term “open concept,” sometimes referred to as “open space.” Your home is someplace you are going to spend a great deal of time in and most people don’t want to feel confined to smaller living areas. By knocking down an interior wall or two, you can join all the common living areas so that you have what amounts to one great room rather than a kitchen, living room, and dining room. This is exactly what our client wanted in the photo below.

All About Interiors

Of course, in so doing, it will be necessary to do a bit of rewiring so that electrical outlets can be installed, and existing wires can be safely tapped off and/or rerouted. Many times, homeowners take this time during the renovation process to add that back door mentioned above at the same time because typically that door leads out from the living room, which is often situated at the back of the home.

4. Renovating and/or Adding Bathrooms

This can be quite an undertaking if you are trying to totally renovate an older bathroom. Some families are also looking to increase the size of these rooms and so the plumbing may need to be rerouted just as wiring will be during the process. Larger windows are trending, which not only let in greater amounts of light but also give a lovely view of the garden as well.

All About Interiors

Then there are those families who have outgrown the number of bathrooms in their home. A home renovation to add an additional bathroom where space permits is ideal. Some families have even added a half bathroom with just a toilet and sink in the laundry room. Others have expanded large walk in closets in bedrooms or add a master ensuite. As families grow, the need for additional sinks and toilets grow as well and this is the #1 reason bathroom additions and home renovations are trending.

Depending on the age of the home, many homes were built with linoleum flooring and unflattering tiles in the bath or shower area. It is currently fashionable to re-tile bathroom floors with natural stone tiles and the colour scheme is then carried through to the bath or shower area. Better lighting is also popular, and this often means refitting current lamps with more energy efficient LED lamps and fixtures.

5. Extensions and Outbuildings for Extra Living Space

While families continue growing, incomes somehow can’t keep up at the same pace. Teens get older and are no longer comfortable sharing bedrooms with younger siblings. This means finding additional living space for them. For many reasons, it may not be feasible to purchase a bigger house. Many families simply choose to renovate to add living space to the one they are in.

Home renovations are often remodeling closed in patios, garages or even converting attics . Some homeowners have no other option than to have an outbuilding constructed for teenagers, but this isn’t the norm. These are often built for grandparents who are either advancing in years, necessitating special care or simply want to be nearer to the children. Home renovations in current homes rather than going to the expense of buying a larger home is a continuing popular trend in recent years.

6. Adjacent Patios & Outdoor Kitchens

No one does barbecue quite like New England. Perhaps this is the leading reason why outdoor kitchens are so trendy here in CT! The CT shoreline is so lovely to enjoy an outdoor barbecue, every evening, all spring, summer and fall. Quite simply, people love their bbq and the tradition is almost like a national treasure.

There are several options for building an outdoor kitchen. Two of the most popular are those built on an existing patio or those constructed near the pool. When attached to the home, the kitchen is usually open to the air on one or two sides and most have at least a sink and a gas or charcoal grill. Some have a griddle installed as well, but the priority would usually be that grill where steaks are cooked to perfection.

The Greatest Mistake to Avoid When Renovating Your Home to Add Value

Unfortunately, altogether too many homeowners get it wrong when trying to add value to their home through home renovations. It is human nature to want to have the loveliest home in the neighborhood. In terms of property, too much of a good thing is simply that! Which in turn becomes too much to be of value. In this business, this is called ‘over improving’ a home. There will come a point when you’ve spent so much adding many extras, that you will never gain a return on your investment. One of the defining elements of pricing a home is in its value compared to the homes in the area. The appraiser will automatically bring the value down to a reasonable comparative price if your home can be valued much higher than nearby homes,.

Properties are only worth as much as the neighborhood in which they are located. If you get too extravagant you could be throwing away money, which isn’t going to be returned. Adding that extra bathroom or remodel a kitchen will give you a return on your investment. There is no need to use the most expensive fixtures or high end custom cabinets, if other homes in your area can’t compare in value.

Bottom Line On Home Renovations?

You are probably thinking of sales potential when you are trying to add value to your home. Even if you have no intention of selling now or in the future. In Connecticut, hire All About Interior, assuring you will get what you desire, . However, on the flip side, if you are trying to add value to the selling price, be reasonable with your expectations. Talk to our designer and by all means, contact an estate agent to get comparable housing value in the area. I suggest doing this before finalizing any plans for renovation. If you won’t profit, don’t throw your money away. Add only the value you can reasonably get back and you will be happy with your efforts. Go too far and you will be sorely disappointed. The key to any home renovation is to add value to your home.

This post is a collaboration and may contain sponsored links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.